For those who need to understand the US empire and its imperialism:
[snipped videos]
The first video's comment section has this:
"This video proposes a new model, based on the history of the British empire..."
So, this video doesn't offer anything that's broadly accepted by political science, but instead lectures on a "new model," or theory, of what constitutes an empire today.
The term "Empire" is already pretty broad. We use it to describe large corporations owned by the same entities, such as "Media Empires," "Banking Empires," etc. These are leaders in their markets with wealth and resources unmatched by the other players.
The video goes a step beyond this by saying the US forces others to follow our "orders" making us an "informal empire."
Informal? How about sticking to the actual definitions, and not using adjectives to mold the term to fit a "new model." If "Empire" all by itself doesn't describe the new model, then they (you) should not be appropriating the word for your own narrative. Calling something an informal empire is ridiculous, since "formal empires" do not exist. It either meets the definition, or it does not. There is no body of scholars or statesmen to ordain any nation as "Empire."
Is a tree a tree by definition, or must they all be formally designated as trees before can be referred to as such?
If the US doesn't fit the definition of an empire, then calling us that won't change reality.